Math Problem

Question

The population of a small town increased by 20% one year and then decreased by 20% the year after. At the end of the two years, the population was 5280. What was the population at the start of the two years?

Answer 1

Let x = original population

 

Then population after 1 year = x + 0.20x = 1.2x

 

Population in two years = 1.2x - 0.20(1.2x) = 1.2x - 0.24x = 0.96x

 

So, 0.96x = 5280

 

           x = 5000